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In the playoffs, each individual matchup and each individual battle is important. That’s why I’m bringing you this crucial footage of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov and Washington Capitals veteran Justin Williams irritating each other during a second-period faceoff.

So when that foe defeated them on home ice on Saturday night, it wasn’t the humbling of an arrogant giant who expected to trounce their first round opponent. Instead, the Caps’ loss, like most things in this silly sport, was the product of some crummy luck.

Regardless of what you think about the Caps’ effort and results in the first two games, it’s impossible to not be impressed by the Leafs. Not given much of a chance by anyone before the playoffs began, the Leafs have proven they are going to make this a series.

You didn’t really think it would be that easy, did you? We said this would be a fun series, not a breeze. The Toronto Maple Leafs are too fast and too feisty for that.

Once again, Toronto got the game’s first goal, a JVR score on a broken play. Alex Ovechkin got involved in the offense in the second, notching a PPG from the Ovi Spot. A John Carlson slapshot put the Caps up, but Kasperi Kapanen got a lucky bounce, then Morgan Rielly got a sneaky screened wristshot through to give the Leafs a 3-2 lead entering the third.

It took more than ten minutes in that final frame, but a ferocious shift by the top line finally scored as Nick Backstrom found daylight behind Freddy Andersen to tie the game and force overtime, again.

Overtime was like getting beat over the head by a tube sock full of nickels, but you liked it somehow? Without a decision, double overtime ensued, which is the like the first one except the sock is on fire this time. Then, John Carlson lost his stick and Kapanen ended the night.

The Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs have been playing exciting run-and-gun hockey in their first round matchup, trading tough hits along the way. On Saturday night, fun hockey turned into something we never want to see.

In the middle of the second period, Toronto defenseman Roman Polak entered the offensive zone with puck. Unfortunately for him, Brooks Orpik was there waiting for him, dishing out a powerful, clean bodycheck after Polak crossed the blueline.